Train's Best Friend

I like dogs.  I like the way that no matter what, they're always glad to see you come home at the end of the day.  Man's best friend.  They'll greet you at the door, jumping around, slobbering all over you, ears flopping, tail wagging.  That tail - it gives the dog character.  Each one is different and special.

Back in the day, trains had tails too, each one different, each one with a unique character.  I'm talking about the caboose.  Red ones, yellow ones, green ones, brown ones.  They came in all shapes and sizes, and you would find one at the rear of every train.  The train's best friend.  You don't see them anymore.  Pushed out of service by electronics, they now sit in museums, or neglected in some storage facility:

The caboose has always been one of my favorite parts of the train, and for a long time, I've wanted to build one from scratch.  For the October NMRA meeting, the topic of the modeling contest is "Cabooses", making this the perfect time to do just that.

I found plans for this caboose through the Missabe Railroad Historical Society:

Looks easy, right?  Should be fun - construction is underway...  Stay tuned!